Tanzania Orders Citizens to Stay Home on Independence Day Amid Rising Tensions

written by Noel Mporebuke

The Government of Tanzania has instructed citizens to remain indoors on Tuesday, December 9th, the day the country commemorates its Independence, first achieved in 1961 one year before Rwanda gained its own sovereignty.

The directive comes amid heightened political tension in the country following the disputed October 2025 presidential election, which declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner. Opposition parties have rejected the results, claiming the election was neither free nor fair.

Tanzanian police issued a strong warning to the public, stating that anyone participating in demonstrations on Independence Day would be violating the law and would face arrest and prosecution.

Authorities said public protests would be treated as attempts to disrupt national security and economic stability.

The tense atmosphere in Tanzania stems from violent incidents that followed the election. Various sources report that nearly 1,000 people may have been killed, although the government has acknowledged fatalities without providing specific figures.

In addition to those killed, many citizens particularly youth were arrested. President Suluhu has since ordered the release of several detainees, but human rights organizations say hundreds remain imprisoned.

International Reaction

The situation has drawn international scrutiny: The UN Human Rights Office recently urged Tanzania to respect fundamental freedoms, emphasizing that peaceful demonstrations are a basic human right.

The United States announced it is reassessing its relationship with Tanzania, expressing concern over restrictions on freedom of belief, freedom of expression, and political participation. The U.S. also warned that certain aspects of its investments in Tanzania could be affected by the current political climate.

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba announced that Independence Day celebrations would not take place this year. He explained that the budget originally allocated for the festivities would instead be redirected to repairing property and infrastructure damaged during the post-election protests.

Opposition Claims Election Was Manipulated

President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the 2025 election with 98% of the vote. However, opposition figures have strongly contested the results, describing them as fabricated.

They argue that major challengers were deliberately barred from participating in the election, including: Tundu Lissu, leader of the CHADEMA party (Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo) and Luhaga Mpina, from the youth-oriented ACT-Wazalendo party, who was reportedly denied nomination papers.

Tundu Lissu, leader of the CHADEMA party (Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo)

Luhaga Mpina, from the youth-oriented ACT-Wazalendo party,

Opposition parties claim that excluding these candidates invalidates the credibility of the entire electoral process.